Departing electric director saluted

Evan Goodenow | Oberlin News-Tribune Steve Dupee was thanked by city council members Nov. 21 for his 24 years at Oberlin Municipal Light and Power System. Electric director since 2001, Dupee is leaving to become Wellington’s village manager.

Steve Dupee, Oberlin Municipal Light and Power System electric director, was thanked last Monday by city council members for his service.

Dupee, who earns $93,000 annually, was hired in 1992 and has headed the utility since 2001. He’s quitting to become village manager of Wellington where he will earn $107,000 annually. He begins in Wellington Nov. 30.

“He has guided the city through many difficult issues in the electric department and also has been a leader in the city,” finance director and interim city manager Sal Talarico told council members. “He will be missed.”

Dupee said Oberlin was a “wonderful” place to work: “I can’t tell you what it meant for me to serve you and to serve this community,” he said. “I’m going to miss all of you deeply and dearly.”

Dupee helped lead Oberlin’s efforts to have fossil-free energy production by 2050. As part of those efforts, he oversaw sales of pollution offsets known as Renewable Energy Credits.

In June, council approved distribution of $2.6 million in energy credit profits with 85 percent rebated to customers and the remainder for the utility’s Sustainable Reserve Program. Dupee was criticized by some residents for advocating that the majority of the money be rebated. Critics said customers would’ve received more long-term savings from investing in energy efficiency initiatives.

Council on Monday approved a job description for Dupee’s replacement. A new director is expected to be chosen early next year by incoming city manager Rob Hillard.

Doug McMillan, the utility’s energy service and sustainability initiatives manager, will serve as interim electric director. McMillan was hired in 1997.

Formed in 1934, Oberlin Municipal is one of 81 municipal electric utilities in Ohio. The community-owned, not-for-profit utility has about 3,200 customers — 2,750 residential and 350 commercial.

Evan Goodenow can be reached at 440-775-1611 or @GoodenowNews on Twitter.

Evan Goodenow | Oberlin News-Tribune Steve Dupee was thanked by city council members Nov. 21 for his 24 years at Oberlin Municipal Light and Power System. Electric director since 2001, Dupee is leaving to become Wellington’s village manager.

Evan Goodenow | Oberlin News-Tribune Steve Dupee was thanked by city council members Nov. 21 for his 24 years at Oberlin Municipal Light and Power System. Electric director since 2001, Dupee is leaving to become Wellington’s village manager.